Countdown to Christmas Day 5: Silent Sunday

Countdown to Christmas Day 4: Season of Goodwill

It's day 4 of Karin's Countdown to Christmas challenge and time to take a more somber turn. Listening to the news last night I heard about 2 people in the 80s being found dead in the snow in Cumbria. In this cold weather the elderly living alone are particular vulnerable but don't always ask for help. 


Do you have elderly neighbours that you are looking out for in this snow? Is someone near you trapped in their house and needs their essential shopping done? I went to visit my granny today and got her essential items as she is sensibly staying indoors whilst it is cold and treacherous under foot. Check out Age Concern for ways to help.


As it gets closer to Christmas can you go and help out at your local homeless shelter? Charities such as Crisis, Caring at Christmas and Shelter need donations of money and essentials as well as volunteers this Christmas (and throughout the year). Check out your local area and see how you can help those less fortunate than yourselves.

Countdown to Christmas Day 3: Alternative gift ideas

It's day 3 of Karin's Countdown to Christmas challenge! Time to think about others today and alternative gifts that can either help other people or that last longer than just Christmas Day...


Charity Gifts


Oxfam are one of the charities that offer a chance to make a gift to the Third World on behalf of someone else. With prices ranging from £5 for a bag of fertiliser to £1,700 for a classroom there is something for every budget! Helps you to feel good and prevents an unwanted gift being returned in January...


For other charities doing similar things check out the Charity Gifts website where prices range from £2 and you can do things like adopt an animal or send fermented cow's urine to Africa (apparently it a natural pesticide!).

Countdown to Christmas Day 2: Dear Santa

Dear Santa,


I've been a pretty good girl this year. As you may remember my Christmas last year was a bit of a washout as I was ill on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and then on antibiotics for the rest of the year! This year I think I deserve the best Christmas ever and so hope you can put a few things in my stocking:


An Apple iPad

You could grab me one from Amazon. My children have done so much damage to my current laptop it would be lovely to have a nice shiny new bit of tech just for me.

Countdown to Christmas Day 1: Gallery Celebration 1st Xmas

Today I'm killing 2 birds with one stone! Firstly the lovely Tara at Sticky Fingers has challenged us to a gallery showing Celebration this week. Secondly Karin over at Cafe Bebe has laid down the gauntlet of a Xmas related blogpost every day until Christmas Day!


So in order to meet the criteria of both these in one post I bring you my daughter's first Christmas back in 2003:

Apologies to my son but photos of his first Christmas don't appear to be on this computer! I'm sure I took lots though....